Bristol City rue missed chances as Man City man inspires Sheffield United to victory

Bristol City suffered a league double for the first time this season as promotion-chasing Sheffield United won 1-0 at Bramall Lane to move a step closer to promotion.

James McAtee’s 77th minute goal was the difference as the Blades repeated the scoreline they won by at Ashton Gate, moving eight points clear of third-placed Luton Town. Nigel Pearson’s side are 14th, and are six points off of mid-table, with 12th-placed Watford holding a game in hand over them.

The visitors went for it from the off with Andi Weimann hitting the side netting from a cross. City forced the first save of the game with Nahki Wells picking out Harry Cornick and he chested the ball down before hitting a shot from 12-yards at Adam Davies.

Academy graduate Sam Bell continued the good spell and had protestations about a penalty decision that didn’t go his way. Bell and George Baldock fell in the box with nothing given though the foul was committed outside the area. In the same attack, Bell’s header deflected just wide of the post from Jay Dasilva’s cross.

The spell of pressure didn’t equate in a goal for City but the atmosphere of the home crowd was subdued. Iliman Ndiaye nearly injected life back in to the game as he ran in from behind but Max O’Leary shut him down before fumbling the ball but Zak Vyner was able to clear.

The hosts came out with the intent of breaking the deadlock but Cornick showed his defensive side to block Oli McBurnie’s shot as the two scrambled for the ball from Tommy Doyle’s corner-kick. Another set-piece caused danger with O’Leary forced to punch, catching Ahmedhodzic.

Sheffield United took the game to City and went close as Baldock laid the ball to Sander Berge, who curled a shot over O’Leary’s bar. The away goalkeeper nearly played himself in to danger but he made amends as he punched away his failed clearance.

In an attempt to swing the game back in their favour, Alex Scott replaced Sam Bell which moved Weimann to the left and allowed Scott to slot in a central role. Both goalkeepers were forced to come off their line to clear the ball with both attacks hoping for a slip-up.

United broke the deadlock in a neat passing move that split apart the City defence, with McAtee on the scoresheet after coming on. Ndiaye dribbled past several players and fed it out wide to the Manchester City loanee to strike home.

In search of an equaliser, City had a free-kick positioned on thee edge of the box but Scott could only hit it straight at the wall. As the visitors committed bodies forward, Sharp sought an insurance goal but his shot bobbled wide of goal. Substitute Daniel Jebbisons should have made it two but from a glorious position he shot over from just a few yards out.

Sheffield United: Adam Davies, Anel Ahmedhodzic, John Egan, Jack Robinson; George Baldock, Sander Berge, Tommy Doyle (Oliver Norwood, 73), John Fleck (James McAtee, 54), Max Lowe; Oli McBurnie (Billy Sharp, 73), Iliman Ndiaye (Daniel Jebbison, 89)

Bristol City: Max O’Leary; George Tanner (Anis Mehmeti, 85), Zak Vyner, Cameron Pring, Jay Dasilva; Andy King, Matty James; Harry Cornick (Mark Sykes, 64), Andi Weimann, Sam Bell (Alex Scott, 73), Nahki Wells (Tommy Conway, 64)

Yellow Cards: Cameron Pring 54, Harry Cornick 59’